[hoh-muh-sek-shoo-uh
l or, especially Brit., -seks-yoo-] 
| 1. | of, pertaining to, or exhibiting homosexuality. |
| 2. | of, pertaining to, or noting the same sex. |
| 3. | a homosexual person. |
| ho·mo·sex·u·al (hō'mə-sěk'shōō-əl, -mō-) adj. Of, relating to, or having a sexual orientation to persons of the same sex. n. Usage Problem A homosexual person; a gay man or a lesbian. Usage Note: Many people now avoid using homosexual because of the emphasis this term places on sexuality. Indeed, the words gay and lesbian, which stress cultural and social matters over sex, are frequently better choices. Homosexual is most objectionable when used as a noun; here gay man and gay woman or lesbian and their plural forms are called for. It is generally unobjectionable when used adjectivally, as in a homosexual relationship, although gay, lesbian, or same-sex are also available for adjectival use. See Usage Note at gay. |
" 'Homosexual' is a barbarously hybrid word, and I claim no responsibility for it." [H. Havelock Ellis, "Studies in Psychology," 1897]The noun is first recorded 1912 in Eng., 1907 in French. In technical use, either male or female; but in non-technical use almost always male. Slang shortened form homo first attested 1929. The alternative homophile (1960) was coined in ref. to the homosexual regarded as a person of a particular social group, rather than a sexual abnormality. Homo-erotic first recorded 1916; homophobia is from 1969.
homosexual ho·mo·sex·u·al (hō'mə-sěk'sh&oomacr;-əl, -mō-)
adj.
Of, relating to, or having a sexual orientation to persons of the same sex. n.
A homosexual person; a gay man or a lesbian.